Life Is Short - Wear Your Party Pants

by Loretta LaRoche

Loretta La Roche has helped millions of people find ways to lighten up and overcome stress. Now, in Life Is Short—Wear Your Party Pants , she gives you the tools you need to not only reduce feelings of tension, but also to bring joy, passion, and gusto into your life. Her techniques are a brilliant blend of old-world common sense and the most contemporary research in brain chemistry, psychology, and mind-body studies.

Loretta gives you dozens of proven techniques for recognizing the ten simple truths that will lead you to an intense, happy, successful resilience, living in the moment, optimism, acceptance, humor, creativity, moderation, responsibility, meaning, and connection. Loretta’s wisdom evolved from her own life—one filled with the demands of being a single mother of three; of starting her own business when she was broke; and of the wacky invasiveness of her Italian family. She’s like all of real, flawed, stressed out, and on edge. Her magic comes from an ability to not take herself too seriously, and to always shift her focus away from the self-destructive and toward the truly important things in life.

In her work, Loretta has seen tens of thousands of people who live their lives as if they’re sitting in a waiting room, hoping that their turn comes up next. This book will show you that life is not something to be endured, but is something to be truly appreciated. We need to remember how to access our inner abundance, which allows us to be heart-centered, joy-filled human beings. As Loretta "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift—that’s why they call it the present."

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Self Help, Inspirational, Personal Development, Personal Growth

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Loretta is an internationally recognized stress-management consultant. She is well-known for her outrageous one-woman shows that have sold out nationwide venues, including Boston Symphony Hall, The Hanover Theatre, Emerson Majestic, and Berkley Performing Arts Center. With over 35 years of experience, Loretta has toured with The Power Within, sharing the stage with great leaders like Arianna Huffington, Former President Bill Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres, and Tony Robbins.
Loretta's media presence is equally impressive, with seven one-woman television specials airing on PBS stations nationwide. Her work has garnered recognition, earning her nominations for local and prime-time Emmy Awards. Loretta has also made notable appearances on major news networks such as CNN, ABC, NBC, and FOX affiliates, further solidifying her credibility and reach.
Loretta's expertise lies in improving the health of organizations by alleviating stress through humor, leaving audiences happy and optimistic. Using her wit, she helps people learn how to take stress and turn it into strength. Advocating fun, optimism, and resiliency, Loretta is the go-to consultant for stress management and improving overall well-being.

Reviews

[Kristal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um, my mother gave this to me in hopes of something. I guess. Its an alright book. I don't normally read these sort of books honestly. Just a normal chicken-for-the-soul sort full of antidotes and advice. Will any of it actually benefit me? More than likely not. Something about taking advice from a 60-year old wearing a boa and big fat hat that doesn't match worries me.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up off the library free shelf thinking it would be a good reminder of how to life my life well, and it didn't disappoint. Nothing earth-shattering was in the book. Rather, it was a reminder to live simply, look for joy, choose to be happy, stay in the moment, and surround yourself with people who love.

[Rana (This City That Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got introduced to Loretta (not in person of course, though I think she would be a hoot to meet) through a Ted Talk and I loved her spirit and upon googling her discovered she has written a couple of books (don’t they all?). Anyway, I proceeded to buy the one that seemed the most fun and popular: Life is Short - Wear Your Party Pants.

I was looking for a short read today around noon and picked this book up and it was really fast, simple and fun to read. Took me a few hours only to finish (with distractions).

I was originally going to give it 3.5 stars but then rounded up to 4 because in the last chapter she brought up her mentor and favorite person (her grandma) which reminded me of my late grandma who was so much more than a grandma to me which in turn made me cry. Emotional = +0.5 points extra.

Anyway, the book has no mind-blowing discoveries or new theories - just feels like an honest talk with someone who sees the simplicity in life and misses the good ‘ol days when everything was less complicated.

Loretta delivers the ideas in such a humorous and natural way and they’re all simple ideas really: chill, stop complicating your life, live in the moment, stop worrying in advance, smile more, connect with people around you and don’t take life too seriously.

One of the techniques that she uses in her workshops is asking her students to create a blues song based on their worries as a way to cope with the stress. That sounded like fun so I decided to try it. Here’s what I came up with

Blues song:

I woke up this morning
And I didn’t want to go to work
My life is so boring
And the boss is a jerk

Where is my promotion
And where is my raise
Hey HR, just put it in mtion
And save me your half-assed praise

Hahahaa, it IS fun! Also, I am neither a poet nor a songwriter, sorry guys I tried…

Leaving you with a few nice lines from the book

- We should never wait to celebrate life only on special occasions.
- On taking yourself too seriously in life: “Nobody is getting out of here alive.”
- If you think the worst and get the worst, you suffer twice. If you think the best and get the worst, you only suffer once.
- The reality is, of course, that whatever we do at any given moment, is, in fact, our life! We will not get do-overs. There is no repeat performance.
- Why does it take a tragedy for people to be kind to one another?

[V. Mariketa Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about letting go of all the serious stuff in life and remembering to laugh at ourselves in the process of life. One quote that sticks with me so far, "of course there is no formula for success, except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings." Arthur Rubinstein. Great perspective on life!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
Seemed to include more negative thoughts or views than positive ones, which sort of undermined the whole 'have positive thoughts or views' purpose of the book. Nothing earth shattering but nothing too bad either (aside from huge exaggerations such as "if I walked as much as I talked about being fat, I'd be an anorexic!" - that's not how that works).

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my reading assignment for the winter break. It's to be discussed and reviewed upon returning to work.

Quoted from the introduction,
"We have a very short time on this planet, and we waste so many hours not really enjoying what time we have".

[Nancy Houda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book, especially for people like me that were raised to save everything for the future. I now have permission to live in the present and put me first once in a while. So good I had to be on a wait list from the library.

[Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I didn't feel strongly about this book. Some of the main themes: don't sweat the small stuff, loosen up and recognize what you can and can't change. A little funny, a little redundant — but generally good-natured and helpful.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It’s up to us to try to live our lives with more meaning, not only so we can say yes to life, but so we may also honor those who are no longer with us.”

[Alison Glover · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, no earth shattering revelations but I think it is good to read this type of book every now and again to help refocus the mind on what is and isn’t important.

[Lisa W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio Book, 2 hours

ISO humor and laughter…I will go to any lengths.

Loretta LaRoche has a big heart. She is also part comedian, philosopher, motivational speaker, yenta and super fun gal pal.

By quoting from Martin Seligson on positive psychology, Daniel Goldman on emotional intelligence, Norman Cousins on laughter therapy, and several other researchers, Laroche provides evidence based data to back up her jokes and talks.

She’s a lighthearted Bodhisattva who seems to truly enjoy her pep talks and funny stories.

Three stars: when she digresses into her stand up shticks about her mother and other relatives, it wasn’t as useful or funny to me. Those spots were weak.

But then she shines with therapeutic laughter anecdotes and amazing turnaround stories of transformation.

I think I smiled for at least 60 minutes and laughed out loud at least 5 times - so far that alone I think this little book is worth a visit. 👩‍⚖️💕

[Cece · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very relevant today, even though it was written in 2003. There is a lot of great advice in these pages for people who are in need of the whys and how to’s for living life in the now and not putting off the adventures and fun times for later. Don’t save your party pants for a special occasion. Wear them now. Wear them to clean house, wear them to run errands. Spend time with friends while you have the chance. I loved every bit of it. And it was written with good humor as well as good advice.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the upside, this was short. On the downside, it was the worst kind of comedy reinforcing "men" v. "women" and how we all need to accept our roles and that would make life easier. Yikes. Picked this one up on the recommendation of a friend transitioning to retirement; will take her future recommendations with a grain of salt.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what this week needed--a zany romp in the world of LaRoche, and a reminder not to take life too seriously. She's always refreshing and funny, with that underscore of truth about how absurd we can be.

[Joyce Goldsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the first chapter was the best part. There were many thought provoking questions. The rest of the book was good, but sometimes too verbose. I did not find it compelling, but I liked it.

[Maurean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good reminders to live in the present and look on the bright side of life.

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which every man has some" - Charles Dickens

[864cw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Inspirational. Reminds me to just smile.

[Rocklee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. Entertaining. The title became one of my sayings. But, I still hoard the good stuff.

[Michelle Tremblay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very motivating and uplifting. Loretta makes you feel like you are just hanging out together having a great chat.

[Shannon W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, practical, good advice.

[Ailenei Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Toți trebuie să ne încetinim ritmul și să iubim mai mult, să fim mai blânzi cu noi înșine și să profităm de toate oportunitățile pe care ni le oferă viața.”

[Julie]

I enjoyed the first segment. next portion seemed to move into lesser appealing talk. Much more negative. just my opinion but I gave up there so do not know if it turned back around.

[Nancy Runstedler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really feel there was a whole lot new here, however, I appreciated the humorous approach and a few great quotes.

[Patrice M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second read - remembered it as being more enjoyable than it was this time around!

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very uplifting book with a lot of good ideas on how to be happier in life.

[Jill Whitney]

Didn't finish it. Boring 😴

[Jacqulynn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe a lot of what was said in this book and appreciate the reminders. I love how the author is so real with the readers.

[janell · Rating 5 out of 5]

this lady is funny af 😭, i loved the book and writing style

[Stephanie Kearns · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would be good for someone new to uplifting advice.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok